Last Updated: 6:01pm, Dec 02, 2013

THE nation is stunned by the destruction of an ancient temple structure dating from the 11th century in the historic Bujang Valley archaelogical site. The destruction, carried out by a private developer, is an act of cultural barbarism comparable to the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas by the Taliban. It is a shame and embarassment to our country. Bujang Valley is the most important archaeological site in Malaysia, and is famed throughout South East Asia. The destroyed Candi No 11 was a tangible part of our history and invaluable to the nation. It is simply incomprehensible that the area was not gazetted as a historical site!

How could the Federal government and Kedah State government allow this to happen?  The Kedah state government's excuse that the land is privately owned is pathetic and unacceptable. Why did the Kedah State authorities give the necessary approvals for development to proceed, knowing full well that the area is historically significant? The Kedah state government and authorities have displayed breathtaking irresponsibility and cultural philistinism in allowing the development to proceed.

The Federal government also have a positive duty to ensure that historically significant sites are preserved; this they have miserably failed to do in the case of Lembah Bujang. What is the use of having a Ministry of Culture and Tourism if the nation's heritage is so easily destroyed for private profit? How do we answer for this cultural vandalism to future generations of Malaysians?

We call upon the Kedah State government and Federal government to take urgent and effective steps to protect the Lembah Bujang arcaelogical site. We demand that the State government immediately issue a stop work order upon the development projects at the site. We further call  for the urgent preservation of the debris and wreckage of Candi No 11 with a view towards repair and full restoration. Meanwhile both Prime Minister Najib Razak and Kedah MB Mukhriz Mahathir must break their silence on this matter; the public is entitled to an explanation.

N Surendran is PKR’s vice president and MP for Padang Serai

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